Bengaluru Civic Bodies to Clean Vacant Plots and Recover Costs via Property Tax

Bengaluru civic authorities will begin cleaning uncleared vacant plots across the city starting Thursday and recover the expenses directly from property owners through property tax, following directives issued by Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Monday.

The decision comes after the August 22 deadline set by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) for vacant site owners to clear accumulated waste ended with only about 20 per cent compliance.

"Civic bodies must now identify the plots, serve notices and ensure that they are cleaned. Wherever the civic body has to undertake the work, the cost should subsequently be recovered through the property tax," Gowda said.

Revenue officials have been instructed to identify uncleared vacant plots and compile an official list ahead of the cleaning drive. Gowda directed authorities to mobilize the required machinery and workforce across the city, including JCBs, tippers, tractors, and adequate personnel.

To ensure transparency and prevent inflated or unverifiable billing, the minister made before-and-after video documentation with geolocation mandatory for every vacant plot cleaned by civic teams. Payments to contractors will be released only on the basis of this documented evidence.

Gowda also warned officials to ensure that waste and debris collected during the drive are not dumped along roadsides or onto other vacant plots. All collected garbage must be transported and disposed of exclusively at officially designated disposal facilities.

Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) has been directed to log the entire process—from plot identification and cleaning to collection and disposal—on the 'Clear It' software platform.

Additionally, officials were instructed to update the 'Clear It' mobile app so citizens can flag uncleared plots directly and assist authorities in identifying sites requiring intervention.